A cleaner who works at Park Avenue Rochester may have been the source of infection at JEM and Westgate, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said on Monday, May 24 in its evening Covid-19 update.

The finding was from the epidemiological investigations conducted at the JEM/Westgate cluster.

MOH has also extended the free swab test to those who visited the two malls from May 10 to May 22, instead of the original May 10 to May 14 period.

Source of infection

MOH said that the cleaner (Case 62933) works at the Stay-Home Notice (SHN) facility at Park Avenue Rochester, and that she had been to Westgate on May 6. She was tested positive for Covid-19 infection on May 7.

Whole genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis conducted by the National Public Health Laboratory have revealed that some of the visitors to JEM and Westgate have similar sequences to that of Case 62933, MOH said.

Further investigations into the mode of transmission are ongoing.

Extension of free swab test to more visitors

Last week, the two shopping malls were asked to closed for two weeks, from May 23 to June 6, as there is likely ongoing transmission among individuals who visited these malls.

Free Covid-19 swab tests are also provided to those who visited JEM and Westgate from May 10 to May 14, which has been since extended to all individuals who had visited the two malls from May 10 to May 22.

All visitors to JEM and Westgate since May 10 are also advised to monitor their health closely for 14 days from their date of visit.

They are encouraged to visit a Regional Screening Centre or “Swab and Send Home” (SASH) Public Health Preparedness Clinic for a free Covid-19 test if they feel unwell.

Prior to the reopening on June 6, the malls will undergo deep cleaning and disinfection.

MOH has conducted special testing operations for staff who work at both premises.

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